Curated OER
Tracking Down the Real Billy the Kid
Students analyze the role that gunfighters played in the settlement of the West and distinguish between their factual and fictional accounts. Using internet research, students explore the life of Billy the Kid. They write an essay on...
Curated OER
Mothers' Milk-Unleaded, Please
Lead toxicity is a hot topic these days, especially when it was a common component in household paint for many years. In Taiwan, there was concern that babies were being exposed to toxic levels of lead through breast milk. A study was...
Curated OER
Past and Present
Students research their community history and choose on aspect to create an iMovie on. They use digital photographs and old images of community place that show how they have changed.
Curated OER
The Amazing Race -- Africa
Students conduct research and gather information regarding various cities in Africa. They discover what it would take to travel to and through Africa and plan a trip through various regions of the continent. They present their itinerary,...
Curated OER
Class Presentation on Coal
Did you know that coal was formed from plants? After being assigned a coal-related topic, groups gather, organize, and present information about this energy source. The presentations should include visuals like graphs, charts, tables,...
Curated OER
Creation of An Educational Toy, Game, or Story
Seventh graders create a toy, game or story suitable for a young child. They research magazines, catalogs, and child development texts for ideas. Students consider the age and development of the child.
Curated OER
Age of Exploration: A Comprehensive Research Project
Fifth graders examine reasons for exploration, the outcomes, and various explorers. In this age of exploration lesson, 5th graders create a flipbook with timeline and images to showcase their knowledge.
Curated OER
Addressing the Nation
Students examine the leadership skills of Civil War leaders. In this American Civil War activity, students describe attributes of effective leaders and then debate the effectiveness of leaders during the war.
Curated OER
History: Burial Ground Research
Students participate in a cemetery scavenger hunt and determine the average life span during a specific time period. The information for the project relates to the specific historic time period they are investigating.
Curated OER
Get Physical
Fourth graders research a physical exercise using primary source information. They analyze the information and write a report that validates, rejects, or qualifies the information.
Curated OER
Challenges Faced by the New Nation's Presidents
Sixth graders, while in the computer lab utilizing the internet, locate primary sources to interpret and analyze the struggle of the new nation to gain the respect of European countries. They interact with a worksheet that organizes...
Curated OER
To Come to Illinois - Or Not?
Students analyze primary documents to determine whether the author is pro- or anti-emigration. They outline reasons for or against immigration to Illinois during the early 19th century.
Curated OER
African Americans in the Columbia River Basin
Young scholars research the Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive (CRBEHA) and use a variety of primary sources to explore the history of blacks in the region.
Curated OER
Character in Leadership
Fifth graders inquire and research using secondary and primary resources. In this leadership traits unit, 5th graders investigate information about Harry S. Truman and present on his early life and leadership abilities. Possible...
Curated OER
Coming to Terms: Stories of Southeast Asian Political Refugees
Eleventh graders examine the reasons why Southeast Asian refugees left their home for the United States. They conduct interviews and research their suffering and history. They examine primary source documents to better understand their...
Curated OER
Growing Files for Women's History
Students research a woman from their local community. They use primary source documents and old newspapers to gather information. They present the information to the class.
Curated OER
Faces of the Bench
Students use primary source documents to gather information on justices in the Michigan Supreme Court. They write about the thoughts and experiences of the author. They identify and describe each justice briefly.
Curated OER
Confederation Politicians
Students explore the production of newspapers about Confederation. The students are organized into groups and are asked to take on the roles of newspaper staff members. Their first assignment is to write a story based on an interview...
Curated OER
Ethnic Culture and Identity in the Columbia River Basin, 1850-1950
Students explore cultural history of immigrant groups that settled in the Columbia River Basin from 1850 to World War II, and examine various primary sources to explore role cultural and social customs played in keeping alive immigrant...
Curated OER
Irish-Americans: Work and Song
Students research the experience of Irish immigrants who helped build the railroad systems of the United States. They analyze primary source documents, take notes, and create an artistic piece.
Curated OER
News Interviews of Historical Figures During the Indian Wars
Students examine the lives of important historical figures. Using primary source documents, they develop a list of questions to ask the figure if they were still alive. In groups, they discover information about the other historical...
Curated OER
Canadian History: The Seven Oaks Incident
Students examine primary source documents about the Seven Oaks Incident and consider the different perspectives written about it. They present their findings to the class orally or by creating posters.
Curated OER
Investigating the Cuban Perspective
Students examine different perspectives on the events during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Using the internet, they research the Cuban perspective on the issue and discover the need for empathy in a situation like this. They use primary...
Curated OER
Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court I: A Case of Racial Discrimination in the late 1800s and Minority Supreme Court Justices
Students read the decision of the Michigan Supreme Court in the Ferguson v. Gies, a case dealing with discrimination in a restaurant. They participate in a class discussion about the case and the justices that presided over it. They...